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Rajindrajith S, Boey CCM, Devanarayana NM, Niriella MA, Thapar N, Benninga MA. Navigating through 65 years of insights: lessons learned on functional abdominal pain in children. Eur J Pediatr 2024:10.1007/s00431-024-05667-4. [PMID: 38972964 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05667-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
In 1958, Apley and Naish authored a groundbreaking paper in Archives of Disease in Childhood, elucidating the epidemiology and risk factors of recurrent abdominal pain in children-a subject that had confounded clinicians of their time. Surprisingly, even after 65 years, there are several unanswered questions regarding the etiology, pathophysiology, and management of pediatric abdominal pain. Contrary to the prevailing notion that children naturally outgrow functional abdominal pain, compelling evidence suggests it's possible these children develop a number of clinically significant psychological issues that could profoundly impact their quality of life and, consequently, future health and educational outcomes. In this light, we aimed to comprehensively review the current literature to update the knowledge of practicing clinicians on functional abdominal pain, summarizing the evidence from the last 65 years.Conclusion: The enduring unanswered questions surrounding childhood abdominal pain continue to challenge clinicians, resulting in unnecessary investigations, thereby contributing to substantial healthcare expenditures. It is also evident that children with long-standing symptoms would progress to adulthood with the potential to develop irritable bowel syndrome and many psychological disturbances. Several key interventions using pharmacological agents, such as amitriptyline, showed that some of these drugs are no more effective than the placebo in clinical trials. Several research during the recent past suggest that psychological interventions such as gut-directed hypnotherapy alleviate symptoms and ensure better prognosis in the long run. Therefore, clinicians and researchers must join hands to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning functional abdominal pain and novel therapeutic strategies to ensure the well-being of these children. What is Known: • Functional abdominal pain disorders are common among children, with a worldwide prevalence of 13.5% of children suffering from at least one of these disorders • These disorders contribute to a significant reduction in the quality of life of affected children and their families and lead to an array of psychological problems What is New: • The biological basis of functional abdominal pain is becoming more explicit, including complex interactions between altered microbiome, deranged motility, and psychological dysfunction with gut-brain interactions • Novel approaches giving minimal emphasis on pharmacological interventions and exploring psychological interventions are showing promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaman Rajindrajith
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo 8, 00800, Western Province, Sri Lanka.
| | - Christopher Chiong-Meng Boey
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Nikhil Thapar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplant, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Marc Alexander Benninga
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Santucci NR, Velasco-Benitez CA, Cunningham N, Li J, Fei L, Sun Q, Saps M. Psychological distress and coping efficacy in children with disorders of gut-brain interaction. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024; 36:e14724. [PMID: 38072996 PMCID: PMC10842907 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple psychological factors influence disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). We aimed to evaluate psychological distress in Colombian schoolchildren with and without DGBIs. METHODS We included children ages 8-18 years without organic medical conditions from largest regional public schools in Colombia. Children completed Spanish versions of Rome III diagnostic questionnaire for DGBIs, State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI), and a measure of coping efficacy. These data, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, were compared between children with DGBIs and healthy peers. Exploratory analyses investigated differences between youth with symptoms of functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) compared with healthy peers. KEY RESULTS Of 1496 children, 281 (mean age 12.9 ± 2.2 years, 49.8% females) self-reported criteria for DGBIs and 125 reported (44.5%) FAPDs. Children with DGBIs had higher trait anxiety, emotional sensitivity, somatization including GI, non-GI, pain-related, and non-pain-related subscales (p < 0.001 each) and lower coping efficacy (p = 0.02) compared to healthy peers. Females had higher trait anxiety and somatization (p = 0.04 and p = 0.005, respectively). State and trait anxiety and coping efficacy differed based on location in children with DGBIs (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, and p < 0.001, respectively). Children with FAPDs had higher trait anxiety (p = 0.02) and somatization (p < 0.001) compared to healthy youth. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES Children with DGBIs had higher anxiety, emotional sensitivity, and somatization, and lower coping efficacy compared with healthy youth. This highlights the importance of appraising psychological distress characteristics as well as incorporating conflict resolution, assertiveness training, and resilience building during the treatment of DGBIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha R Santucci
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | | | - Natoshia Cunningham
- Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Jesse Li
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, OH, United States
| | - Lin Fei
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Qin Sun
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Miguel Saps
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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Alsaggaf F, Coyne I. Participation in everyday life for young people with chronic pain in Saudi Arabia: "you feel lacking in life and you feel that time is flying by". FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2023; 4:1099345. [PMID: 37275401 PMCID: PMC10235783 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1099345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Chronic pain is a common health problem that can have a significant impact on children and young people's daily life. Although research on pediatric chronic pain has been a priority globally, little is known about young people's experience of chronic pain in Saudi Arabia. Thus, this article reports on young people's experience of chronic pain and the impact on their lives in Saudi Arabia which forms part of a larger study. Methods Multiple case study design following Yin's (2018) approach was used. Purposeful and theoretical sampling were used to recruit young people aged 12 to 18 who had experienced chronic pain for at least three months, their parents, and their school personnel. The young people and their parents were recruited from a tertiary hospital located on the western side of Saudi Arabia while school personnel were recruited from the schools that young people attended. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured face-to-face (n = 15) and telephone interviews (n = 25) from 40 participants (10 young people, 10 parents, and 20 school personnel). Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated from Arabic to English. Data were analyzed following two phases: (1) constant comparative analysis; and (2) cross-case analysis based on the work of Charmaz (2014) and Yin (2018) respectively. Findings Young people's experiences of chronic pain were categorized into three themes: (1) experiencing chronic pain; (2) impact of pain on quality of life; and (3) everyday strategies to manage chronic pain. All young people reported that their pain was caused by a chronic condition, where the most prevalent pains were musculoskeletal/joint pain, abdominal pain, and headache/migraine. Most young people had encountered challenges with misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis as to the cause of their chronic pain. They described how their chronic pain interfered with their physical, psychological, and social functioning. They primarily managed their pain with medications and through self-care techniques. The findings also indicated that young people's generally positive attitude to their pain reflected their beliefs in Allah's power and the belief that such suffering should be borne according to their Islamic culture. Conclusion Chronic pain is a significant health phenomenon that tends to restrict the participation of young people in everyday life. However young people used a range of strategies to normalize the pain so that they could continue with their everyday activities like their peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatimah Alsaggaf
- Nursing College, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Imelda Coyne
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Albinni B, de Zambotti M, Iacovides S, Baker FC, King CD. The complexities of the sleep-pain relationship in adolescents: A critical review. Sleep Med Rev 2023; 67:101715. [PMID: 36463709 PMCID: PMC9868111 DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2022.101715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a common and disabling condition in adolescents. Disturbed sleep is associated with many detrimental effects in adolescents with acute and chronic pain. While sleep and pain are known to share a reciprocal relationship, the sleep-pain relationship in adolescence warrants further contextualization within normally occurring maturation of several biopsychological processes. Since sleep and pain disorders begin to emerge in early adolescence and are often comorbid, there is a need for a comprehensive picture of their interrelation especially related to temporal relationships and mechanistic drivers. While existing reviews provide a solid foundation for the interaction between disturbed sleep and pain in youth, we will extend this review by highlighting current methodological challenges for both sleep and pain assessments, exploring the recent evidence for directionality in the sleep-pain relationship, reviewing potential mechanisms and factors underlying the relationship, and providing direction for future investigations. We will also highlight the potential role of digital technologies in advancing the understanding of the sleep and pain relationship. Ultimately, we anticipate this information will facilitate further research and inform the management of pain and poor sleep, which will ultimately improve the quality of life in adolescents and reduce the risk of pain persisting into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Albinni
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Italy
| | | | - Stella Iacovides
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fiona C Baker
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA; Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Christopher D King
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Pediatric Pain Research Center (PPRC), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Senger-Carpenter T, Scott EL, Isaman DJM, Lenko R, Seng J, Ploutz-Snyder R, Robinson-Lane SG, Cofield C, Chen B, Voepel-Lewis T. Biopsychosocial Attributes of Single-region and Multi-region Body Pain During Early Adolescence: Analysis of the ABCD Cohort. Clin J Pain 2022; 38:670-679. [PMID: 36094004 PMCID: PMC9561068 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000001069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Multi-region pain during adolescence is associated with a higher symptom burden and lower quality of life. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the biopsychosocial attributes of single-region and multi-region pain among healthy young adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed data from 10,320 children aged 10.6 to 14 years who self-reported pain in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study. Pain was coded as single-region or multi-region based on body map data. RESULTS One in 5 young adolescents indicated recent multi-region pain. Sequential regression supported improved model fit when psychological and sociocultural factors were added to a biological model of pain; however, these models improved the classification of multi-region but not single-region pain. A significant interaction effect of sex and puberty remained constant across models with increased odds of pain at each advancing pubertal stage for both sexes compared with prepuberty, but no difference between girls and boys at late puberty (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=2.45 [1.72, 3.49] and adjusted OR=1.63 [1.20, 2.23], respectively). Psychological factors improved the classification of multi-region pain with significant effects of anxiety, somatic symptoms, and somnolence. Finally, compared with White and non-Hispanic children, Black and Hispanic children were less likely to report pain (adjusted OR=0.70 [0.61, 0.80]; adjusted OR=0.88 [0.78, 0.99], respectively) but had significantly higher pain interference when pain was present (adjusted OR=1.49 [1.29, 1.73] and adjusted OR=1.20 [1.06, 1.35], respectively). DISCUSSION Pain is a biopsychosocial phenomenon, but psychological and sociocultural features may be more relevant for multi-region compared with single-region pain during early adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric L. Scott
- Michigan Medicine Department of Pediatrics, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
- Michigan Medicine Department of Anesthesiology at The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Deanna JM Isaman
- School of Nursing, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Rachel Lenko
- School of Nursing, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Julia Seng
- School of Nursing, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | | | | | - Cherie Cofield
- School of Nursing, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Bingxin Chen
- School of Nursing, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Terri Voepel-Lewis
- School of Nursing, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
- Michigan Medicine Department of Pediatrics, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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Rexwinkel R, Vlieger AM, Saps M, Tabbers MM, Benninga MA. A therapeutic guide on pediatric irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified. Eur J Pediatr 2022; 181:2603-2617. [PMID: 35460383 PMCID: PMC9192445 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-022-04459-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of the gut-brain interaction negatively impact quality of life and carry a substantial socioeconomic burden. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS) are common functional abdominal pain disorders in childhood. The pathophysiology is not fully understood, and high-quality intervention trials and international guidelines are missing. Therefore, the management of these disorders remains challenging. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of therapeutic possibilities for pediatric IBS or FAP-NOS and recommends management strategies. To prevent unnecessary referrals and extensive costs, it is fundamental to make a positive diagnosis of IBS or FAP-NOS in children with chronic abdominal pain with only minimal investigations. A tailor-made approach for each patient, based on the accompanying physical and psychological symptoms, is proposed to date. CONCLUSION Shared decision-making including non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions should be considered and discussed with the family. WHAT IS KNOWN • Irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified are common in childhood. • Although the number of treatment options has grown recently, managing these disorders can be challenging and unsatisfactory, and no evidence-based international management guidelines are available. WHAT IS NEW • We suggest using a stepwise individualized approach to management, where after first-line management, both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions should be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Rexwinkel
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Amsterdam, Room C2-312, PO Box 22700, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Arine M Vlieger
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Netherlands
| | - Miguel Saps
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Merit M Tabbers
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Amsterdam, Room C2-312, PO Box 22700, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marc A Benninga
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Amsterdam, Room C2-312, PO Box 22700, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Gordon M, Sinopoulou V, Tabbers M, Rexwinkel R, de Bruijn C, Dovey T, Gasparetto M, Vanker H, Benninga M. Psychosocial Interventions for the Treatment of Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr 2022; 176:560-568. [PMID: 35404394 PMCID: PMC9002716 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.0313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Importance Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) can severely affect the life of children and their families, with symptoms carrying into adulthood. Management of FADP symptoms is also a financial and time burden to clinicians and health care systems. Objective To systematically review various randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the outcomes of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), educational support, yoga, hypnotherapy, gut-directed hypnotherapy, guided imagery, and relaxation in the management of FAPDs. Data Sources PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. Study Selection All RCTs that compared psychosocial interventions with any control or no intervention, for children aged 4 to 18 years with FAPDs. Data Extraction and Synthesis Pairs of the authors independently extracted data of all included studies, using a predesigned data extraction sheet. One author acted as arbitrator. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and certainty of the evidence for all primary outcomes was analyzed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes were treatment success, pain frequency, pain intensity, and withdrawal owing to adverse events. Dichotomous outcomes were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with corresponding 95% CIs. Continuous outcomes were expressed as mean difference (MD) or standardized MD with 95% CI. Results A total of 33 RCTs with 2657 children (median [range] age, 12 [7-17] years; 1726 girls [67.3%]) were included. Twelve studies compared CBT with no intervention, 5 studies compared CBT with educational support, 3 studiescompared yoga with no intervention, 2 studies compared hypnotherapy with no intervention, 2 studies compared gut-directed hypnotherapy with hypnotherapy, and 2 studies compared guided imagery with relaxation. Seven studies evaluated other unique comparisons (eg, visceral osteopathy vs normal osteopathy). Per the GRADE framework, owing to risk of bias, there was moderate certainty in evidence that CBT was associated with higher treatment success numbers (n = 324 children; RR, 2.37; 95% CI 1.30-4.34; number needed to treat [NNT] = 5), lower pain frequency (n = 446 children; RR, -0.36; 95% CI, -0.63 to -0.09), and lower pain intensity (n = 332 children; RR, -0.58; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.32) than no intervention. Owing to high imprecision, there was low certainty in evidence that there was no difference between CBT and educational support for pain intensity (n = 127 children; MD, -0.36; 95% CI, -0.87 to 0.15). Owing to risk of bias and imprecision, there was low certainty in evidence that hypnotherapy resulted in higher treatment success compared with no intervention (n = 91 children; RR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.19-6.83; NNT = 5). Owing to risk of bias and imprecision, there was low certainty in evidence that yoga had similar treatment success to no intervention (n = 99 children; RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.58-2.08). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that CBT and hypnotherapy may be considered as a treatment for FAPDs in childhood. Future RCTs should address quality issues to enhance the overall certainty of the results, and studies should consider targeting these interventions toward patients who are more likely to respond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morris Gordon
- School of Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | | | - Merit Tabbers
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Emma Children’s Hospital/Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robyn Rexwinkel
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Emma Children’s Hospital/Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Clara de Bruijn
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Emma Children’s Hospital/Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Terence Dovey
- Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Gasparetto
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Royal London Children’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marc Benninga
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Emma Children’s Hospital/Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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